Student's death leaves gloom at Marcus Garvey Technical

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

BLEAK WEATHER conditions reflected the mood of the Marcus Garvey Technical High School community Monday morning as news spread among students that one of their own was killed early Saturday morning at his home in Hampstead district, Runaway Bay, St Ann.

News of the murder of 16-year-old Vencott Myles, a grade 11 student, broke Saturday morning and left residents shocked in his community and neighbouring districts in the parish.

But Monday morning at Marcus Garvey, several students on the morning shift were learning about their schoolmate's death for the first time.

Three female students, former classmates of Vencott's, huddled at the gate of the institution and sobbed openly. The one who had told the others was unable to hold back the tears after her two classmates broke down instantly.

One grade 10 student, who said she had known Vencott for several years, spoke positively of him.

"I've known him since I was in grade five at primary school. He comes to Sunday school at Pentecostal church in Salem (an adjoining district). He doesn't talk that much. If you don't trouble him, he won't trouble you," the student said.

She said she was on popular social networking site Facebook on Sunday when she got a text message from one of her friends asking if she had heard about Vencott.

"But mi neva really pay it any mind," she said, shaking her head as she watched her three schoolmates crying. "It terrible!" she added.

Other students, who did not know Vencott personally, empathised upon hearing the news.

Morning devotions had been pushed back on Monday, to after midday, as is done sometimes. But as happy faces entered the school compound, they immediately turned to frowning faces upon hearing of the tragedy.

negative effect

One male student, having heard of the death earlier, entered the compound with a black ribbon pinned to his shirt pocket.

Principal Leslie Riley said Vencott's death was affecting the school negatively.

Vencott would have been 17 in June, and was scheduled to begin sitting external examinations next month.

He was stabbed to death sometime after 2 a.m. Saturday at the home he shared with family members. Intruders had pried their way inside through a back entrance and attacked him as he slept.

"A suspect that we know of has since fled the area," Senior Superintendent of Police Carlton Wilson told The Gleaner on Monday.

rural@gleanerjm.com